‘Love triangle’ murder in Bhubaneswar: Police arrest main accused, girlfriend

The Commissionerate Police on Monday arrested two persons including the prime accused in connection with the murder of a youth at Chintamaniswar under Laxmisagar Police Station in Bhubaneswar. 

The murder had reportedly taken place late on Friday night over a suspected triangular love affair. 

The main accused Kanha Pradhan alias Pinku, who allegedly hacked a youth Anjan Kumar Behera to death, was arrested along with his girlfriend identified as Niharika.  As per sources, Niharika is the conspirator of the murder.

Addressing a presser, DCP Prateek Singh said, "Laxmisagar Police got information late on March 15th night that some people assaulted a person at 1.45 AM. He was critically injured. A PCR van reached the place immediately and the youth was hospitalised. However, the injured died later during treatment. 

The DCP added that Anjan’s mother filed a complaint at the Laxmisagar Police Station.

“As an investigation into the murder case started, it was known that Anjan had a friend Goutam, who was in love with Niharika. Goutam was repeatedly approaching Niharika, but she refused him,” the DCP added.

"Niharika narrated her ordeal to Kanha Pradhan, her boyfriend. Kanha was furious and called Goutam to meet him and later threatened him.  

According to the DCP, when Anjan and Goutam along with two others were returning from work on the night of March 16, Kanha and Niharika along with four others detained them at the Chintmaniswar area leading to a heated argument. Kanha then yanked out a sword and attacked Anjan, the DCP added. 

He said that a special team of police raided various locations in Bhubaneswar and finally arrested Kanha and Niharika from Salia Sahi.